Birthday of Santa Claus. About the holiday the birthday of the Russian Santa Claus for children

Surprisingly, but the good Grandfather Frost was born in the fall. All children and adults who believe in miracles celebrate the birthday of the winter wizard. It's hard to say how old the birthday boy is - his grandfather's age is more than 2000 years. But it is known exactly when Santa Claus's birthday is November 18. This date was chosen by the children themselves in 2005. At this time in Ustyug, winter truly comes into its own and frosts hit. And grandfather needs to start preparing for the celebration of the main holiday!

Grandfather Frost's ancestors - who are they?

Our Santa Claus had three great-grandfathers. They lived during the times of the East Slavic tribes. They were engaged in cooling people, as they were spirits of cold - Treskun, Karachun and Zimnik. It is not difficult to guess that their intentions were somewhat different from those of Santa Claus - the spirits did not like people, only frightened them.

Santa Claus was not always kind ...

Today we expect gifts and magic from him. It is hard to believe that Santa Claus originally stole children and carried them away in a sack. But over time, good won - and everything turned upside down. The wizard changed and began to bring surprises himself.

"Kind Santa Claus, he brought us gifts ..."

Good Santa Claus first came around Christmas 1910. Only now they did not receive him very cordially. During the Soviet Union, Grandfather acquired a new image - a kind wizard with a sack of gifts. This image was invented by Soviet "filmmakers" in the 30s.

We can safely say that it was in the USSR that the modern image of Santa Claus was formed. At this time, his companion appeared - the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden. Together they became symbols of the New Year.

November name days of Santa Claus

Date November 18 is associated with the onset of cold weather in the residence of Ded - Veliky Ustyug. This is the homeland of Santa Claus, and the children themselves chose the date in 2005.

On the birthday of the winter wizard, festivities are organized, guests from all over the world are invited.

Today the grandfather is familiar to all the children,
Birthday. We will celebrate!
We give the wizard gifts:
A trip to exotic hot countries.

Perhaps he does not fly there,
But at least he will dream!
And we're in such a good mood
Happy birthday to Santa Claus!

Adults and children can congratulate the wizard. Moreover, to do it personally - to go to Veliky Ustyug, return to childhood, give joy to yourself and your loved ones. If this is not possible, write letters. Santa Claus is waiting for postcards, gifts and even emails. There is a kind wizard in every country, and if you want your message to be received, Finnish Joulupukki or American Santa Claus!

The long-awaited Santa Claus, as an obligatory character on the New Year's holiday, appeared in the USSR in 1936. Then the authorities decided that the grandfather with the white beard should refer specifically to the New Year, and not to Christmas.

After the October Revolution, Santa Claus, like most of the New Year's traditions that people were waiting for and loved with all their hearts, were criticized and subsequent prohibitions. As a result, Christmas was declared a working day. Moreover, people were forbidden to celebrate - on January 6, special patrols took to the streets of the cities, not hesitating to look out, listen and even look into the windows of people - to check whether there were Christmas trees decorated with toys and garlands in the house and whether they were idle there.

In 1935, a member of the Presidium of the USSR Central Executive Committee, Pavel Postyshev, published an article in the Pravda newspaper in which he neatly suggested trying to celebrate the New Year for the children. He explained this by patriotism, uplifting and motivation. Of course, the country accepted the idea with a bang and the "Christmas" attributes were rethought - Santa Claus returned to Russia and even appeared at the first official New Year tree. At first, he divided and ruled alone, but already in 1937 he presented his granddaughter, Snegurochka, to the public. There was an acquaintance with the All-Russian Christmas tree in the Moscow House of Unions.

It should be noted that Santa Claus is not a unique character. His prototype is a Slavic deity, the leader of the winter and the commander of the cold. If this is taken into account, then Santa Claus is several thousand years old, but in Russia it is still customary to keep an eye on his own bearded man. Officially, my grandfather is almost 82, and all this time he hardly changes. All the same bright red fur coat with white piping. But not always - from time to time the New Year's symbol changes into a blue or even white, ceremonial outfit. Necessarily - a beard, long, thick, white - not gray, but as if frozen.

On a visit to children - then Soviet, and now Russian, Santa Claus comes traditionally in felt boots, with a magic staff in one hand and a bag full of gifts in the other. If he has little to do, he takes the Snow Maiden with him. If, as they say now, "blockage" - the granddaughter takes over part of the functionality and works autonomously - but this is rather an exception. By the way, this duet travels around the country in a festive cart pulled by three horses.

Photo: globallookpress.com

Homeland of Santa Claus

The Russian Father Frost is registered in Veliky Ustyug - this is a small but very beautiful city in the Vologda region - buried in snow in winter, surrounded by trees. Previously, the New Year's character was a person without a permanent place of residence, but, at the initiative of the former mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov, in 1999 he was nevertheless allocated a residence, where now everyone can come, and not only in winter. And people are going - in the three years since the opening of the official residence, the tourist flow to the city has increased tenfold. Of course, convenient routes were launched and jobs were created for local residents.

In 2005, a tradition appeared to celebrate the birthday of Santa Claus. The date November 18 was chosen because it was on this day, according to statistics, that the first frosts hit Veliky Ustyug - the time of Father Frost begins.

Photo: globallookpress.com

By the way, Russian Santa Claus was not always “homeless”. His first residence was organized in Arkhangelsk, at the initiative of the regional committee of the Komsomol. Who sounded the idea to register the New Year's bearded man - now it is difficult to establish, the data differ. But it is known for sure that then, in the late 80s, the initiative to place the house of Santa Claus in Arkhangelsk was supported by the director of the local sea trade port, the defense Sevmashzavod and other large enterprises.

At the beginning of 1991, CJSC "House of Ded Moroz" and LLP "Mail of Ded Moroz" and the corresponding trademarks were officially registered in Russia. And four years later, the management of the Laplandsky Nature Reserve on the Kola Peninsula implemented the project “Fairy Lapland - Fathers of Father Frost”. This meant the creation of another, already the second residence of Father Frost - in the Chunozero estate in the Murmansk region.

Photo: globallookpress.com, Lapland Nature Reserve

And when the third house was built for Santa Claus - in Veliky Ustyug, a problem arose - where to write letters. Schoolchildren, kindergarteners and, of course, their parents were puzzled - whether the symbol of the New Year will receive all the messages written to him, because there are three addresses, and grandfather - one. Fortunately, everything was resolved quickly, using redirection. Now, if a child writes to Santa Claus in Lapland, the message is delivered to Veliky Ustyug. It is the same with Arkhangelsk.

Photo: vk @ usadba.deda.moroza, the gate of the Moscow estate of Father Frost

Grandfather Frost received a residence permit in the capital only in 2004 - within the framework of the interregional project "Veliky Ustyug - Father Frost's Homeland", the Moscow estate of Father Frost was created. Around the same time, the updated Santa Claus Mail was modernized, automated and launched, and a year later the Manor opened its gates for the guests of the Snegurochka and Creativity mansion, an ice skating rink and a fairy tale trail.

It is impossible not to mention the assistants of Santa Claus in Russia. For example, in Karelia, not far from Petrozavodsk, Pakkeite lives - in Finnish - "Morozets". It seems that Pakkeite is a wise, kind and slightly hunched old man who tells stories to guests and predicts the future, but no - this is a smooth-shaven middle-aged man living in a large plague. They say it is very pleasant - if you suddenly decide to arrange a tour of the residences of Santa Claus, be sure to stop by and see him.

For a long time, no one even knew about Santa Claus's birthday. But it was found out that this fairy-tale wizard also has his "own" date, which can be used to determine the age of the beloved character. The exact figure cannot be named, but experts say that the hero is more than two thousand years old. He celebrates his birthday on November 18th. At this time, the legendary good magician is in Veliky Ustyug, where his fiefdom is located.

history of the holiday

On November 18, Russia officially celebrates the birthday of Santa Claus. What is the age of the winter wizard is not known for certain, but it is for sure that it is more than 2000 years old. The date of birth of Father Frost was invented by the children themselves, since it is on November 18 on his estate - in Veliky Ustyug - that real winter comes into its own, and frosts hit. Interestingly, in 1999 Veliky Ustyug was officially named the birthplace of Russian Santa Claus.

The birthday of Santa Claus has been celebrated since 2005. It was then that the date was officially announced and put into circulation. Why is this number chosen? The thing is that at this time the first severe frosts begin in Veliky Ustyug. By the way, modern Santa Claus is forced to keep up with the times, so he also masters new technologies - now he receives letters from children by e-mail, and also blogs in social networks and communicates with his colleagues by cell phone.

Despite the fact that the date is very young and not everyone knows about it yet, every person is familiar with the character himself. Plus, the history of this wizard goes back to the distant past. It is complex and interesting, because after the revolution at the beginning of the last century, the personality of Santa Claus was completely banned for several years.

In our country, it is customary to celebrate November 18. And it is unusual for the reason that Santa Claus is a fabulous creature. It should be noted that this holiday is official.

Now it is difficult to say exactly when Santa Claus was born. Its age is unknown, but we can say for sure that it is already over 2000 years old. The date for this holiday was chosen by the children themselves. At this time, in Veliky Ustyug, which is considered the residence of a good wizard, a real winter begins, with snow and frost.

Officially, Veliky Ustyug was declared the birthplace of Russian Santa Claus only in 1999. And before that, it was simply believed that he lived in the North. Since then, this small old town has turned into a tourist center with a developed infrastructure. Every year, more tourists come here, especially children who dream of seeing the homeland of Santa Claus with their own eyes.

Holiday traditions

It is here that they prepare for this holiday with particular care. On this day, a special mailbox is opened, into which congratulations for Santa Claus are dropped. This opportunity is used with great pleasure not only by local, but also by visiting children.

Numerous relatives of Santa Claus from different countries come on this day to congratulate him: Santa Claus from Finland, Chishan from Yakutia, Mikulas from the Czech Republic, etc. Official delegations from different cities of our country also come.

And the faithful helpers of Santa Claus annually give him a new costume as a gift, which is decorated with original embroidery.

Previously, children could write a letter to Santa Claus only by mail, but recently this fairy-tale wizard has its own official website.

By the way, Santa Claus has his own coat of arms, anthem and standard. And GLONASS employees recently presented the good wizard with a special gift - an innovative staff with a built-in navigation system. This staff allows all of us to observe the movements of Santa Claus via the Internet, wherever he is in the world.

On December 25, 1999, the grand opening of the House of Father Frost took place in Veliky Ustyug. Tourist trains and buses run to this city. The initiator of the creation of this project was the former mayor of the capital - Yuri Luzhkov. This holiday in the homeland of Santa Claus is celebrated very magnificently.

Celebrating this holiday in our country began not so long ago - since 2005. On this day, in the homeland of this good wizard, a large number of various festive events are held, including concert performances, funny contests and competitions for children, games and fun, festive fireworks, etc. This project immediately won the hearts of children and became very popular, which continues to grow every year. Now many travel agencies sell tours to Veliky Ustyug. By the way, this city was founded in the XII century A.D. It is one of the oldest cities in the Russian north, and has preserved its rich cultural heritage to this day.

All Russian children are very fond of Grandfather Frost and they always expect miracles from him on New Year's holidays. The kids sincerely believe that this fabulous wizard watches their behavior all year round, and on New Year's Eve brings gifts under the tree to those who behaved well.

We all remember from childhood this exciting feeling that engulfs every child at the sight of Santa Claus and his entourage. This hope for a miracle, which must surely happen on New Year's Eve, is inherent even in some adults. And children are very fond of good fairy tales and sincerely believe in them.